CVE-2026-87018: Undici Vulnerability (CVSS 7.5)

Description

undici is an HTTP client library for Node.js. In versions 4.2.1 through 6.29.0, 7.0.0 through 7.30.0, and 8.0.0 through 8.12.1, the client process crashes when a TLS 1.2 server renegotiates after the connection is established and presents a different, CA-trusted certificate whose hostname does not match the requested host. Node.js re-runs hostname verification on the renegotiated handshake and destroys the socket with a certificate-altname error, but undici's established-socket error handler asserted that this error code could never occur, so the peer-controlled error became an uncaught assertion that terminates the Node.js process, affecting both the HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 paths. A malicious or compromised HTTPS endpoint reached through undici or the global fetch() can crash the client with a single server-initiated renegotiation, taking down all in-flight requests and background work in the process, and exploitation needs no CA compromise because the attacker controls the endpoint and can present two ordinary valid certificates. Only TLS 1.2 is affected, since TLS 1.3 does not support renegotiation. The issue is fixed in undici 6.29.1, 7.30.1, and 8.12.2, and users should upgrade to one of those versions or later. As a workaround, restrict outbound connections to TLS 1.3 so renegotiation cannot occur, when the target endpoints support it.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.18%

7.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Nodejs	Undici	>= 4.2.1, < 6.29.1
Nodejs	Undici	>= 7.0.0, < 7.30.1
Nodejs	Undici	>= 8.0.0, < 8.12.2

References

https://cna.openjsf.org/security-advisories.htmlVendor Advisory
https://github.com/nodejs/undici/security/advisories/GHSA-qrxm-fqhp-jwvmVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 15, 2026
Last Modified: Oct 19, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-87018?

undici is an HTTP client library for Node.js. In versions 4.2.1 through 6.29.0, 7.0.0 through 7.30.0, and 8.0.0 through 8.12.1, the client process crashes when a TLS 1.2 server renegotiates after the connection is established and presents a different, CA-trusted certificate whose hostname does not match the requested host. Node.js re-runs hostname verification on the renegotiated handshake and destroys the socket with a certificate-altname error, but undici's established-socket error handler asserted that this error code could never occur, so the peer-controlled error became an uncaught assertion that terminates the Node.js process, affecting both the HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 paths. A malicious or compromised HTTPS endpoint reached through undici or the global fetch() can crash the client with a single server-initiated renegotiation, taking down all in-flight requests and background work in the process, and exploitation needs no CA compromise because the attacker controls the endpoint and can present two ordinary valid certificates. Only TLS 1.2 is affected, since TLS 1.3 does not support renegotiation. The issue is fixed in undici 6.29.1, 7.30.1, and 8.12.2, and users should upgrade to one of those versions or later. As a workaround, restrict outbound connections to TLS 1.3 so renegotiation cannot occur, when the target endpoints support it.

How severe is CVE-2026-87018?

CVE-2026-87018 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.18% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-87018?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

Related CVEs from 2026

View all 2026CVEs →